App-tivating progress: Smartphone apps for mental health relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental health conditions impact a significant portion of the population, with many facing barriers to affordable care. Smartphone applications as therapeutic interventions offer a promising direction for mental health care. This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the effectiveness of app-based interventions for managing mental health symptoms.

PubMed was searched for randomized controlled trials from January 2019 to October 2023. Interventions involved therapeutic smartphone apps designed to manage mental health conditions compared to waitlist or attention controls. Participants were ≥ 18 years old with or without a formal diagnosis. We calculated mean differences (MD) in post-intervention scores using validated symptom measures. This study is IRB exempt and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023438620).

35 studies (N = 10,824) were included, comprising of 14 studies for depression, 15 for anxiety, 11 for stress, and 8 for well-being. The app intervention group exhibited lower post-intervention depression scores [Mean Difference (MD): -0·58, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0·72, -0·43] (P < 0⋅001; I² = 94%), anxiety scores [MD: -0⋅56, 95% CI: -0⋅73, -0⋅39] (P < 0⋅001; I² = 82%), and stress scores [MD: -3⋅24, 95% CI: -3⋅35, -3⋅14] (P < 0⋅001; I² = 99%). Well-being scores were significantly higher in the app group [MD: 1⋅63, 95% CI: 1⋅57, 1⋅70], (P < 0⋅001; I² = 99%). Most studies had low risk of bias, with limitations in participant and personnel blinding.

Smartphone interventions were associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and improved well-being. Our conclusions are strengthened by the large sample size. Limitations include high heterogeneity. These results support smartphone applications as effective tools in mental health management.